DoDEA Americas rings in the new year with a smart phone app for substitute teachers

As the school bell rang, signaling the start of a new academic year, excitement and anticipation filled the hallways of Ft. Campbell and Camp Lejeune communities. However, the enthusiasm wasn't limited to just the students and teachers; administrators were equally excited about new software coming their way.

"I am absolutely thrilled about this new tool! It will significantly reduce time and concerns associated with unforeseen or unplanned teacher absences. It will also give us valuable data and help us understand our needs and scheduling of substitute teachers," said Dr. Andrea Marr, Principal, Fort Campbell High School.

The new application will revolutionize how the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) engages with and schedules substitute teachers, streamlining the process. Schools will be able to post job openings on a single system. Within moments, qualified substitutes will receive notifications through various channels like text messages, emails, or a convenient mobile app.

The implementation of the substitute tracker system will empower substitute teachers. No more waiting by the phone, hoping for a last-minute call. Instead, they are in control of their availability and preferred notification method, being able to accept or decline substitute positions based on their convenience with just a single click.

During the pilot phase in the limited schools of Ft. Campbell and Camp Lejeune communities, the once tedious and uncertain process will become seamless and efficient moving forward. Additional schools within the DoDEA Americas region will adopt the system during the second semester of SY23/24.

"I'm thrilled to see our region integrating this new supportive resource for our schools," said Dr. Judith Minor, DoDEA Americas Director for Student Excellence. "It's about using technology to attract and retain talented substitute teachers who step in when regular teachers are unavailable. Having a tool like this will enable us to accomplish that much more efficiently and will make a real difference for our military-connected kids."